Method and apparatus for producing a tobacco rod



May 28, 1968 w. RUDSZINAT ETAL 3,385,304

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A TOBACCO ROD Filed March 51, 1966 aim x 7 mm F j rinw D 2" o u 5 7a. 7 9 2 2a. mu

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M; L y 41175 z/Alflr' (16m 11-12 LJQHL E" INVENTORS United States Patent 3,385,304 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A TOBACCO ROD Willy Rudszinat, Dassendorf, near Hamburg, and Guenter Wahle, Hamburg-Bramfeld, Germany, assignors to Hauni-Werlre, Koerber 8; Co. KG., Hamburg, Germany Filed Mar. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 539,145 Claims priority, applicatiog Germany, July 13, 1965,

,570 9 Claims. (Cl. 131-84) The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the production of tobacco rods. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in a meth 0d and apparatus for producing a tobacco filler rod in such a way that the length of unsatisfactory stock at the outset or during termination of a rod forming operation is reduced to a minimum. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus of the type disclosed in our copending applications Ser. Nos. 414,044, 424,376 and 462,216 which are assigned to the same assignee. Application Ser. No. 414,044 has matured into Patent No. 3,318,313, issued May 9, 1967.

Said copending applications disclosed rod forming ap paratus wherein tobacco particles are showered or otherwise fed into a centrifugal distributor and wherein the distributor is arranged to transform such tobacco particles into an annulus which issues from an annular chamber or compartment to form a filler rod ready to be wrapped into a Web of cigarette paper, tobacco leaves, tobacco foil or other suitable wrapping material. The distributor may be provided with a centrally located inlet and its interior preferably accommodates suitable ribs or bafiles which contribute to uniform distribution of tobacco particles so that the filler rod issuing from the outlet of the distributor housing is sufficiently uniform to be ready for wrapping without necessarily undergoing a trimming or equalizing operation.

A very important requirement for proper operation of such rod forming apparatus is to prevent undue agglomeration of tobacco particles in the distributor. Thus, a batch of coherent tobacco particles which is allowed to enter the distributor is likely to block the admission of additional particles which would invariably result in the formation of a non-uniform tobacco rod. Also, a batch could grow in response to further accumulation of tobacco particles thereon and, once the centrifugal force is strong enough to dislodge it into the radially outermost Zone of the distributor, such batch can block the outlet through which the tobacco filler rod must issue from the chamber. A reliable way of preventing agglomeration of tobacco particles in a centrifugal distributor is to drive the distributor rotor at a certain optimum speed or at a speed which is within an optimum range, and such speed is maintained while the apparatus is in actual use. However, when the apparatus is started or brought to a halt, the rotational speed of the distributor rotor must be increased to and reduced from such optimum speed so that, in the interval during which the rotor is accelerated to or decelerated from optimum speed, the distributor is likely to accumulate batches of tobacco particles which can cause the formation of relatively long tobacco rod sections of undesirable consistency.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved method of starting or terminating the operation of a tobacco rod forming apparatus wherein the rod is formed by a revolving distributor rotor and according to which the distributor may be started and/or arrested in such a way that rotation of the rotor at a speed which is less than a predetermined optimum speed cannot result in the formation of unsatisfactory tobacco rod sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel control system for the centrifugal distributor and feed unit of a tobacco rod making apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tobacco rod making apparatus of the type embodying a centrifugal distributor and to construct the drive means for the movable components of the apparatus in such a way that operation of such components at less than a .preselected optimum speed cannot result in the formation of an unsatisfactory tobacco rod.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics with means for preventing agglomeration of tobacco particles. Briefiy stated, one feature of our present invention resides in the provision of a method of producing a uniform tobacco rod which comprises the steps of feeding a mass of tobacco particles along a first path, subjecting such tobacco particles to the action of centrifugal force having a predetermined magnitude to propel the particles substantially radially outwardly of the first path and thereupon deflecting the thus propelled particles into and rotating such particles at a predetermined speed in an annular path to accumulate in the annular path an annular body, discharging tobacco at one point of the annular path to form a continuous tobacco filler rod and, for the purpose of terminating the formation of the filler rod, discontinuing the feed of tobacco particles along the first path while the magnitude of centrifugal force remains unchanged and while the particles still remaining in the annular path continue to rotate at a speed within the predetermined range until the annular path is free of particles.

In order to start the formation of the filler rod, the centrifugal force is increased from zero to the predetermined magnitude and the feed of tobacco particles into the first path is started only when the centrifugal force attains such predetermined magnitude. The first path preferably extends substantially axially of the annular path and the filler rod is preferably discharged substantially tangentially of the annular path.

In accordance with the above outlined method, the length of unsatisfactory tobacco rod sections is reduced to a minimum, not only when the apparatus is started but also when the apparatus is to be arrested. This is due to the fact that the rotational speed of tobacco particles which are deflected into the annular path remains unchanged because the feed begins to supply particles only when the centrifugal force attains an optimum magnitude and because the feed terminates to supply tobacco particles before the magnitude of such centrifugal force is reduced below an optimum value. The feed may comprise one or more belt conveyors and the annular path is preferably defined by the housing of a centrifugal distributor whose rotor means must be accelerated to a predetermined optimum speed prior to admission of tobacco particles. The rotor means continues to rotate at such optimum speed until all of the tobacco particles supplied by the feed are actually deflected into the annular path and are expelled from the distributor.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved rod forming apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and the mode of operating the same, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of an apparatus which embodies one form of our invention, the discharge conveyor in the lower portion thereof being shown angularly displaced for clarity of illustration; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electric control arrangement for the apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus for the production of a continuous tobacco filler rod. This apparatus comprises a feed F including an endless belt I trained around rollers 1a, 1b and driven by first drive means including an electric motor 4 which is operatively connected with the roller 1a. The upper stringer of the belt 1 receives tobacco particles from a magazine or hopper (not shown) and feeds them in a direction to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, so that (when the motor 4 is in operation) the particles are showered at the left-hand end turn of the belt and descend along a vertically extending first path through the funnel-shaped inlet 3a of a housing or stator 3 forming part of a centrifugal distributor D. The housing 3 accommodates a two-piece rotor unit including a first rotor element 5a which can be driven by a second drive means including an electric motor 2 through the intermediary of a vertical drive shaft 7, and a second rotor element 5 which is accommodated in the base portion of the housing 3 and is driven by a transmission 2a through the intermediary of a tubular shaft 7a surrounding the shaft 7. The rotor element 5 preferably includes a sieve through which a current of air is sucked by a suitable fan in a manner as disclosed, for example, in our copending application Serial No. 414,044. The transmission 2a is driven by the motor 2 or by a separate motor, not shown, in such a way that the speed of the shaft 7a is always proportional to the speed of the shaft 7. The lower part of the housing 3 defines an annular chamber which is located above the rotor element 5 and has an outlet 5b Where a tobacco filler rod issues from the housing 3 to be transported to a wrapping station by a suitable take-off conveyor 9 driven by a motor 9a. The filler rod issuing from the outlet 5b travels substantially tangentially of the rotor element 5.

In accordance with our present invention, the apparatus further comprises special control means for regulating the operation of the motors 2 and 4 in such a way that the length of unsatisfactory portions of the filler rod is reduced to a minimum, not only when the apparatus is started but also when the apparatus is brought to a halt. FIG. 2 shows the motors 2, 4 and the components of the control means. The poles 8, 14 of a source of electrical energy are connected with the terminals of the motor 2 by conductors 6, 10 respectively. The circuit of the motor 2 may be completed by the contact 12 of a first relay 22 which is energized in response to temporary closing of a normally open master switch 26. Closing of the master switch 26 also results in delayed energization of a time-lag relay 24 whose contact 16 then completes the circuit of the motor 4. The motor 4 is connected between the conductor 6 and a conductor 30 which connects one terminal of the master switch 26 with the conductor 10 and contains a normally closed disconnecting switch 18. A third relay has a contact 28 which closes in response to closing of the master switch 26.

The operation of the control means is as follows:

In order to start the apparatus, the operator closes the disconnecting switch 18 and depresses the master switch 26. This energizes the relays 20, 22 and 24. The contact 28 of the relay 20 completes a holding circuit for the relay 22 and the contact 12 of the relay 22 immediately completes the circuit of the motor 2 to accelerate the drive shafts 7 and 7a to a preselected optimum speed, i.e., above a predetermined minimum speed. The relay 24 is a time-lag relay and closes its contact 16 with a certain delay which sufiices to insure that the motor 4 is started subsequent to starting of the motor 2 whereby the belt 1 begins to shower tobacco particles into the inlet 3a only at a time when the rotor elements 5, 5a already rotate at a desired optimum speed.

In order to stop the apparatus, the operator opens the disconnecting switch 18 to deenergize the relay 20 which opens the contact 28. The relay 24 is deenergized at thesame time and its contact 16 opens to arrest the motor 4 in order to terminate the feed of tobacco particles. The relay 22 is of the type which is deenergized with a preselected delay so that the contact 12 remains closed and keeps the motor 2 running until all of the particles still remaining in the housing 3 are expelled from the annular path above the rotor element 5 and through the outlet 5b.

All of the relays are commercially available and, therefore, their exact construction forms no part of the present invention. Other suitable delay devices for starting the motor 4 subsequent to starting of the motor 2 and for arresting the motor 2 subsequent to arresting of the motor 4 can be used without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of operating a tobacco rod making I apparatus wherein tobacco particles are fed along a first path against a rotor which rotates at a speed Within a predetermined range and propels the particles substantially radially outwardly of said first path and wherein the thus propelled particles are thereupon deflected into and rotated in an annular path to form an annulus which is discharged at one point of the annular path as a continuous tobacco filler rod, comprising the steps of accelerating the rotor to a speed within said predetermined range and thereupon starting the feed of tobacco particles along said first path.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of discontinuing the feed of tobacco particles along said first path and maintaining the rotor in rotation at a speed within said predetermined range until said annular path is free of tobacco particles.

3. A method of producing a tobacco rod, comprising the steps of feeding a mass of tobacco particles along a first path; subjecting such particles to the action of centrifugal force having a predetermined magnitude to propel the particles substantially radially outwardly of said first path and thereupon deflecting the thus propelled particles into an annular path and rotating them in said annular path at a speed within a predetermined range to accumulate in the annular path an annular body; discharging tobacco at one point of said annular path to form a continuous tobacco filler rod; and, for the purpose of terminating the formation of said filler rod, discontinuing the feed of particles along said first path while the magnitude of said centrifugal force remains unchanged and while the particles still remaining in said annular path continue to rotate at a speed within said predetermined range until the annular path is free of particles.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein, for the purpose of starting the formation of said filler rod, the magnitude of said centrifugal force is increased from Zero to said predetermined magnitude and the feed of tobacco particles into said first path is started only when the centrifugal force assumes such predetermined magnitude.

5. A method as set forth in claim wherein said first path extends substantially axially of said annular path and wherein said filler rod is discharged substantially tangentially of said annular path.

6. An apparatus for producing a tobacco rod, comprising a distributor including a housing having an inlet, an annular chamber spacedly surrounding said inlet and provided with an outlet, and rotor means rotatably received in said housing; a feed for supplying tobacco particles through said inlet and against said rotor means whereby, on impinging against said rotor means, such particles are projected substantially radially outwardly and into said annular chamber to form therein an annulus which issues from said outlet in the form of a continuous tobacco filler rod; first and second drive means for respectively operating said feed and said rotor means; and control means including means for starting said first drive means subsequent to starting of said second drive means so that said inlet begins to receive tobacco particles only at a time when said rotor means is accelerated to a predetermined minimum speed.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said control means further includes means for arresting said first drive means prior to said second drive means so that, subsequent to termination of feed of tobacco particles into said housing, said rotor means continues to rotate at a speed which at least equals said predetermined minimum speed while said housing still contains at least some tobacco particles.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said drive means comprises electric motor means and wherein said control means comprises time lag relay means connected in circuit with said motor means.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said control means comprises first time-lag relay means for delaying the operation of said first drive means in response to starting of said second drive means and second time-lag relay means for delaying the stoppage of said second drive means following the inactivation of said first drive means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,680,259 8/1928 Spencer et al. 233-24 X 2,314,906 3/1943 Stahl 318-102 X 2,629,385 2/1953 Kochalski 131-66 2,629,386 2/1953 Kochalski 131-66 X 2,835,297 5/1958 Kochalski.

3,191,114 6/1965 Reed 318-102 X 3,298,376 1/1967 Kochalski 131-84 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH S. REICH, Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF OPERATING A TOBACCO ROD MAKING APPARATUS WHEREIN TOBACCO PARTICLES ARE FED ALONG A FIRST PATH AGAINST A ROTOR WHICH ROTATES AT A SPEED WITHIN A PREDETERMINED RANGE AND PROPELS THE PARTICLES SUBSTANTIALLY RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID FIRST PATH AND WHEREIN THE THUS PROPELLED PARTICLES ARE THEREUPON DEFLECTED INTO AND ROTATED IN AN ANNULAR PATH TO FORM AN ANNULUS WHICH IS DISCHARGED AT ONE POINT OF THE ANNULAR PATH AS A CONTINUOUS TOBACCO FILLER ROD, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF ACCELERATING THE ROTOR TO A SPEED WITHIN SAID PREDETERMINED RANGE AND THEREUPON STARTING THE FEED OF TOBACCO PARTICLES ALONG SAID FIRST PATH. 